The following email was sent by a colleague in Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, CNRE, VT.

"In this time of pandemic disease, most of our thoughts and actions obviously (and rightly) steer toward the human population and the effects inflicted there. However, diseases emerge without warning and can spread, mutate, and are not always selective in who or what the ultimate affected entity may be. As bad as the COVID-19 pandemic has been and continues to be, another disease of potential global significance has emerged and appears poised to wreak devastation upon wild rabbit populations across the world. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) has been spreading around the globe since first detected in France in 2010 and has demonstrated its virility by successfully reducing wild rabbit populations 60-70% in as little as 2 to 3 years. Severe outbreaks have been documented in France, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and now in North America. Clinically confirmed cases have been found in wild rabbit populations in Quebec (2016), Vancouver (2018), and in domestic rabbits in Ohio (2018), British Columbia (CA), Washington state, New York (all in 2019), and most recently Chihuahua (MX) (April 2020). In spring 2020, a core area including parts of New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona experienced a severe outbreak that is affecting all species of wild rabbits significantly, with concomitant food chain implications on predators that feed on these species (including some that currently are listed threatened or endangered species).

The effects of this disease emerge very quickly, with death occurring soon after first exposure. Carcasses of dead wild rabbits are being found out in the open in large numbers in affected areas. Symptoms documented thus far include fever, lethargy, anorexia, unusual vocalization, a general wasting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, bleeding at the eye, and neurologic disfunction. At this time, there is no treatment for the disease. Given the widespread and seasonally abundant distribution of cottontail rabbits throughout the East, the level of devastation anticipated should the virus reach the area could be staggering, especially when considering the predator/prey role rabbits play in the ecosystem. Given this severity, wildlife authorities throughout the East are establishing surveillance protocols and are asking the public for assistance in monitoring for early appearance of this disease. Here in Virginia, any occurrence of what normally would seem to be an unusually large number of dead rabbits should be reported to the VA Department of Wildlife Resources (formerly Game and Inland Fisheries) office nearest to the site of occurrence (field offices for DWR can be located at the link). Given the disease’s demonstrated capability of spreading to domestic rabbits as well as wild animals, concern also is high about the potential impact on domestic stocks as well, so both pet owners and commercial rearing facilities need to be on alert for presence.